Anti-depressants

[u/Bodhi-y2k]

I'm taking them, and it's been about a week and I'm starting to feel some effects already. But I can't help but think, is this just to make me happy among all the shitty things that there are? I remember being happy in the past but that was mainly because I expected to live a good life with how things were going for me. One day that all changed. Ever since then I've been struggling to feel good. I have good moments, but never a baseline of hapiness.

I guess things have changed, and I did do some stuff about my problems and I guess I'm happy I got this far already. But I don't nearly feel up to the task of getting into a relationship.

Forgot why I wrote this

[u/CookingZombie]

I don’t look at anti depressants as a means to feel happy. I see them as a way to not feel awful 24/7. It never made me happy, it made me not miserable and gave me back the ability to be happy, but the happiness wasn’t a guarantee at any point.

But also it took me 3 tries to find something that worked.

[u/Ok-Nature-5440]

Antidepressants help you to be on an even keel, not to make you happy.
Yup, there are very shitty things out there. People, Places, Politics.
What you should expect them to do is to help you navigate these things, without depression, obsessing. So, keep it up, and stay in touch with your doctor.

[u/UnableMetal8106]

You’re allowed to be happy while helping the homeless. You’re allowed to be happy while fighting injustice. You’re allowed to be happy while grieving, or struggling, or recognizing what needs to change. You’re not cheating by taking medication that helps you hang in there.

[u/gracecase]

I was on antidepressants for years and then they moved me over to a mood stabilize. At the end of the day, I think happiness is something we find in moments and generally it can be an attitude of being optimistic and realistic at the same time. More to the point of if somebody says something to offend you. It's how you react that you have control over and can choose to be offended or blow it off and maybe that can keep you happy. I wish I was happy but I can tell you that I only have moments of happiness and the rest of me is just taking that mood stabilizer to "manage" for lack of a better word.

[u/Remarkable_Command83]

For me, anti-depressants took about 10 days to kick in. People told me that I was easier to be around, and I noticed that I got to sleep and stayed asleep better. Anti-depressants are not like cocaine, which induces an abnormal brain chemisty; they do not "make you happy". Anti-depressants take an abnormal brain chemistry, and bring it back to a normal one.

Whether you are on anti-depressants or not, and regardless of whether your brain chemistry is normal or not, you still have to build a balanced and fulfilling life for yourself. What are you doing for fun around town?

[u/severe-nasalis]

Dude, that's a huge step you're taking, props for that. It's totally valid to question if the meds are just a band-aid, but hey, if they're helping you feel even a little bit better that's gotta count for something right? Be kind to yourself, getting this far is a win.

[u/Independent-Moose113]

Placebo effect. It's too soon to feel the pills working. 

Happiness is a choice. Gratitude is a choice. Yes, depression make bot more difficult, but not impossible. Find stuff to do that gets you out of your own head. Staying offline is a good start. Get outside, walk, enjoy the fresh Fall air.

[u/michdap → u/Independent-Moose113]

You are uninformed.

[u/Ok-Nature-5440 → u/michdap]

They work within a week 10 days now.